Sports
Goncalves Scores Twice as FHS Girls Head to Semifinals
Reeves' marksmanship gives Indians early lead in 3-0 victory over Brookfield
FARMINGTON – The ball floated in the air for so long that it could be seen casting a reflection of the stadium lights.
Farmington defender Caitlin Reeves connected on her free kick from 35 yards out like a golfer hitting the flawless wedge shot. Brookfield goalkeeper Stephanie Hunt backpedaled as far as she could and then jumped, but Reeves’ perfection was rewarded.
Reeves’ goal got it started and Jerissa Goncalves sealed it with two more Tuesday as the eight-seeded Indians eased past No. 17 Brookfield, 3-0, in a Class L quarterfinal at Tunxis Mead.
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Farmington (11-3-3) will meet No. 12 Bethel, upset winner over fourth-seeded Joel Barlow, in the semifinals at a site and time yet to be determined. The Indians last went to the semifinals in 2007 when they beat Bacon Academy before losing in the final to Fairfield Warde.
The game was just over eight minutes old when the Indians were awarded a direct kick from the left side of the field.
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“All that was going through my head was, ‘God, let that go in,’” Reeves said. “I wanted that more than anything. This was my last game on the home field. I scored some goals like that before and I was just hoping.”
Reeves is right-footed but she chose to hit the ball with her left.
“I play the left side on defense so I’m used to using my left foot but it’s not as strong,” she said. “It was on that side so it had to be left foot.”
Brookfield (9-6-4) had rallied from behind Saturday to take out the tourney’s top seed Sacred Heart Academy. Farmington developmental coach Charlie Butterfield was there and through his report, Farmington coach Steve Jarvis devised a successful strategy.
Goncalves notched her first goal with 2:10 left in the half. The 2-0 lead enabled Jarvis to confidently set his plan into motion.
“We were opportunistic with our goals,” Jarvis said. “You don’t need to win games three or four to nothing in the tournament. We were up 2-0 and went to the play game. We said, ‘OK, Brookfield, you’ve got to get some goals right now,’ and they didn’t have any answers to what we did.
“I’ve got to give credit to Coach Butterfield for doing a masterful job of preparing this team.”
Goncalves’ first-half score came when the Brookfield defense made an errant attempt to clear the box.
“Somebody crossed it in and they tried to head it out but it didn’t go far enough so I headed back toward goal and followed it in,” said Goncalves, Farmington’s leading goal-scorer with eight on the season. “It wasn’t going in, I thought. … This is the tournament. I want to win this game.”
The Indians played a mean game of keep-a-way in the second half with the Bobcats mustering just one shot on goal.
“We practiced yesterday and the girls carried it out,” Jarvis said. “It was flawless. It was boring in the second half and that’s just the way I wanted it.”
The level of excitement grew with three minutes left.
Reeves lined up a direct kick from 38 yards out but opted for a short pass to Marisa Paiano. Paiano serve the box and Goncalves artfully redirected it past Hunt for the clincher.
“She will break the ankles of defenders,” Jarvis said. “She can spin on a penny. The turns she does and the quick feet she has are amazing.
“Game in and game out, we’ll have different players step up and win us games. Today was Jerissa. Who knows who it’s going to be in the semifinals.”
Hofer made five saves to earn her ninth shutout of the season. Much credit went to Reeves and her mates in the back.
“She displayed senior leadership and she’s got three players alongside her who have bought into the system,” Jarvis said. “Defensively we’ve been solid pretty much all year long.”
Reeves generally is joined by Paiano, Grace Dunn and Brittany Galske in the back.
“When I’ve asked other players to go back there and help out, they’ve done a great job,” Jarvis said. “It’s a great team that enjoys each other’s company and work hard for each other. That’s the basis for success.”
Farmington 3, Brookfield 0
At Al Bell Field
Brookfield (9-6-4) 0 0 – 0
Farmington (11-3-3) 2 1 – 3
Scoring – 1. F, Caitlin Reeves, 8th minute; 2. F, Jerissa Goncalves, 38th; 3. F, Goncalves (Marisa Paiano), 78th. Saves – B, Stephanie Hunt 2; F, Courtney Hofer 5. Shots – F, 10-7. Corner kicks – F, 5-2.